-
TOPIC
 / location

Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Photo: dpa
Indonesia

‘Resilience’ is Indonesia’s new foreign policy buzzword, but is it just rhetoric?

Analysts warn the vague concept lacks a long-term strategy and risks Jakarta drifting from its non-aligned values into transactional deals.

videocam
China-Asean relations

Why China was so keen to get to alleged cybercrime boss Chen Zhi first

videocam
Donald Trump

UK’s Starmer slams Trump’s ‘insulting’ remarks on allies in Afghanistan

videocam
16
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

45
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s defence deal with Bosnia signals Asian middle power’s clout

The deal is in line with Jakarta’s goal to pursue an ‘active and free’ foreign policy beyond its Western partners.

US-China trade war

China reliance and tariff wars emerge as top risks for global defence industry: report

Consultancy warns geopolitical tensions and supply chain exposure are reshaping risk calculations for military manufacturers.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘For the world’: Trump launches his Board of Peace that some see rivalling UN

The US president signed the board’s charter at a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

videocam
11
US President Donald Trump holding a signed founding charter with leaders and representatives from other countries. Photo: AFP
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Watch Trump showcase his ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos

Donald Trump has extended invitations to dozens of nations and hinted at the board’s future role as conflict mediator - with him as chairman.

videocam
7
ICBMs

Past nuclear weapon tests linked to 4 million premature deaths globally: report

Norwegian People’s Aid details a deadly legacy of tests since 1945 that continue to sicken and claim lives.

videocam
Denmark

Opinion | Cultural exchange with rivals isn’t capitulation. It’s pragmatism

Middle powers must keep their diplomatic options open and recognise that engagement with a country isn’t an endorsement of it.

videocam
People take part in a protest under the slogans “Hands off Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders” in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 17. Photo: EPA
Cathay Pacific

Passenger numbers for Hong Kong’s Cathay go sky high with 27% increase

Cathay Pacific Airways and budget arm HK Express carried more than 36 million passengers in 2025 on the back of tourist growth.

A Cathay Pacific aircraft takes off at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Sam Tsang
China-UK relations

China mega-embassy approval further boosts UK relations

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer may soon visit Beijing after approving a controversial new Chinese embassy in London, making him the next world leader to face the challenge of balancing relations with China and the US.

Science

The West cheered China’s coal-fired export ban. Then came the massive blackouts

Did Beijing’s decision to stop financing overseas coal plants after pressure from US and Europe lead to mass – yet avoidable – power cuts?

videocam
16
Science

Scientists plan deep-sea expedition to probe ‘dark oxygen’

The existence of a previously unknown source of oxygen would call into question long-held assumptions about the origins of life on Earth.

videocam
Andrew Sweetman is seen in an undated image working with one of the new landers in Oban, Scotland. Photo: Scottish Association for Marine Science of AFP
Canada

Canada models response to US invasion as Trump posts ‘takeover’ map: report

As Trump hints at making Canada the ‘51st state’, a report reveals a theoretical defence strategy to resist US forces if necessary.

19
Canadian soldiers and Afghan National Army members take positions during a joint operation to seek out Taliban fighters in Kandahar province in 2006. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Bessent cites trade progress after meeting China’s He Lifeng in Davos

US Treasury chief says rare earths are flowing and China is buying soybeans as talks move towards an April Trump-Xi meeting.

videocam
10
SCMP Highlights

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Bangladesh

Bangladeshi student leaders ousted Hasina. Now their political future is unsure

The party born of protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina now finds itself overshadowed by a resurgent Jamaat-e-Islami.

videocam
Members of the National Citizen Party during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in May 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Donald Trump

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

7
US-China relations

How narrowing China-US gap could reshape global power play by 2035

Political scientist Yan Xuetong predicts Beijing will be on ‘equal footing’ in strategic rivalry with Washington in the post-Trump era.

38
Energy

Opinion | Clean energy works at scale. Now it must be coordinated

The next decade will be defined not only by new clean energy capacity, but by how well grids, storage and demand systems are connected and optimised.

videocam
Staff members of the State Grid Yantai electric power supply company work at an offshore photovoltaic power project in the waters of Zhaoyuan city, eastern China’s Shandong province on November 15, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Greenland

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

40
Danish soldiers after disembarking at the harbour in Nuuk, Greenland on Sunday. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump’s Greenland ‘blackmail’ might force EU to stop pleasing him and hit back

Trump’s Greenland tariff threat sparks anger and tests US-EU ties as the bloc mulls how to respond to Washington’s sabre-rattling.

videocam
Donald Trump

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

22
Timepieces

Horology’s most storied addresses: watch museums, workshops and archives

These locales, from museums to brands’ own premises, are hallowed grounds for watch fans, giving them insights and a peek into timekeeping history.

A fresco at the Musée International d’Horlogerie in Switzerland. Photo: Handout
Donald Trump

Trump hits 8 Nato allies with tariffs to force Greenland sale

The duties will start at 10 per cent in February and go up to 25 per cent in June if no deal is reached for the US to buy the island.

127
A boy holds a crossed out map of Greenland topped by a hairpiece symbolizing US President Donald Trump, during a protest against Trump’s policy toward Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

As I see it | Thank you, David Webb, you made Hong Kong a better place

By exposing governance abuses and holding listed companies to account, the shareholder rights activist helped clean up the city’s investment environment.

Israel-Gaza war

Trump names Blair, Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank President Ajay Banga will also be on the panel chaired by the US leader.

8
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement